EDA Director Theresa Bajda prepares to leave; HRA Director Jason Hale steps in as interim replacement

Kalli Hawkins | August 28, 2024

In the coming days, the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority will undergo an executive director change as current director Theresa Bajda prepares to leave the position and Cook County.

On Friday, Aug. 30, Bajda will finish clearing her desk and tying up loose ends before departing for the Twin Cities to begin the next chapter of her career in local government.

“I’m excited,” Bajda said. “I have a lot of family and friends down there, and I’m looking forward to having that support network, but also working in a setting, again, where there’s a kind of larger team in the local government setting.”

Bajda stepped into the Economic Development Authority (EDA) executive director role nearly one year ago, on Sept. 5, 2023. As executive director, she has streamlined EDA procedures and policies and secured over $1.8 million in economic development funding for Cook County.

“That’s huge for Cook County,” Bajda said. “And I’m really, I’m really proud of that. I’m proud of the Board for supporting me in that.”

A few projects receiving the funding are Papa Charlie’s to construct infrastructure and site work following the fire in June 2023, the Mayhew Commercial Project in downtown Grand Marais, and various housing developments.

Although Bajda is stepping away from the executive director position, she said she would remain on the payroll as a 1099 contractor during the transition period as the EDA Board begins hiring. Most recently, the EDA Board approached Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Executive Director Jason Hale to inquire about serving as temporary interim director until a permanent director was hired.

With his typical go-getter attitude, Hale agreed. And so did the HRA Board.

Hale will absorb the general day-to-day EDA director tasks during the month of Sept. “Jason will be kind of focusing on, sort of keeping the lights on and business going as normal, fielding emails, calls, making sure you know, invoices are paid,” Bajda said. “He’s agreed to do that for 30 days.”

The EDA Board has posted the executive director position and is seeking to hire a new director before the 30 days expire.

“Jason is one of the most talented individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Bajda said. “So I think he’s well equipped.”

Bajda added, ”I think that the EDA is very grateful, and I am too, you know, he knows the work that I put in the last year, and so to care, to say, I agree to help keep the lights on, speaks a lot about this individual’s character.”

Hale and Bajda worked closely throughout the past year to partner on a handful of economic and housing-related projects in Cook County. “The EDA has been really valuable to helping provide creative funding, for gap funding, for projects, or to work with projects that the HRA couldn’t work with, supporting our efforts in a variety of ways,” Hale said.

As Hale prepares for the upcoming transition, he says, “I am personally sorry to see her go. She is a friend and a colleague, and I wish her nothing but the best.”

Although Bajda will depart for the Twin Cities in the coming days, she plans to visit Grand Marais and the North Shore often. But instead, she said, as a tourist.

To the EDA Board and the larger Cook County community, Bajda said she appreciates all the support throughout the past year.

“A huge thank you for all the support,” Bajda said. “Thanks for getting to know me and supporting me.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with EDA Director Theresa Bajda before she prepares to depart Cook County on Aug. 30. The audio from the interview is below.

WTIP spoke with HRA Director Jason Hale about the transition period and serving as interim EDA director. The audio from the interview is below.